Air circuit breakers are much like other types, except they use compressed air to extinguish the electrical arc, breaking the circuit. Westinghouse breakers designed in this way are not used in residential applications, instead they are meant for industry purposes. Air circuit breakers are used to protect power lines, building complexes and other general-protection purposes. They can also be installed to protect specific parts of an operation such as a specific machine or set of machines within a plant or factory. Generators and motors can also be safeguarded with air circuit breakers. One advantage of using air circuit breakers is that they can be adjusted for a specific reaction time before tripping; instantaneous, short delay or "real time" delay.

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